BICOM

What happened in Bahrain: He was formally received on a State Visit by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

• On departure Herzog framed the trip as “a visit of peace….bringing and delivering a message of peace is another step toward the inclusion of Israel in the region built on cooperation for the wellbeing of the nations of the region. Inshallah, we will bring another step toward peace.”
• In their meeting, President Herzog and King Hamad discussed the importance that their countries attach to their bilateral relationship and the expansion of Israeli-Bahraini cooperation.
• Herzog told him, “You are at the forefront of making history in the region, where Jews and Muslims can dwell together, the sons of Abraham, and move forward in peace. It is a long process, but we can dream of it and we can see it. Our nations joined the path of peace and the Kingdom of Bahrain is really one of the pioneers in this process, joining other nations that are pursuing peace together for the benefit and wellbeing of our peoples and the nations in the region and the world at large.”
• King Hamad said, “we are confident that this visit has an important role in consolidating relations between our two countries,” and to witness the “spirit of friendliness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among the members of our honourable society of all religions and races, reaffirming our belief in the values of peace, brotherhood and cooperation among human beings.”
• President Isaac Herzog also met with representatives of the Jewish community of Bahrain, which included Houda Nonoo, former Bahraini ambassador to the US.
• To coincide with the visit Herzog wrote an op-ed in the Bahraini media. Having signed the Abraham Accords two years ago Herzog wrote, the task is now “making sure the benefits of regional friendly relations reach each and every Israeli and Bahraini.” He cited direct flights, a free trade agreement, and “envisions a future of student exchanges, of joint projects between youth, of collaborative ventures between universities—not only between Israel and Bahrain, but with our broader region.”
• He highlighted the climate crisis “in which our small countries can and must punch above our weight.” He added, “our mission is to create a Renewable Middle East: a regional ecosystem of sustainable peace, in which we all join forces to provide common solutions to our common challenges. Southern Israel is already powered 100% by solar energy in the daytime, and when you open the faucet in much of our land, the water you drink is all desalinated. We want to scale up these solutions with our new friends, using our respective advantages to bring clean water and clean energy to Europe, Asia, and Africa.”

In Abu Dhabi: President Herzog delivered a keynote speech at the Abu Dhabi Space Debate.

• In his speech the President noted, “I am proud of Israel’s close cooperation with NASA, the European Space Agency, and our counterparts in France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and many other countries. But I am especially proud of our evolving space partnership with the United Arab Emirates. Our two countries are boldly leading our region toward new frontiers in space and leaving our mark on history.”
• He highlighted the importance of transnational partnerships but also in education. He noted, “In Israel, we have introduced the TEVEL program, which is already working with high school students from across the country, Jews and Arabs alike. They are building, testing, and launching nanosatellites into space, and then using them to gather data and conduct experiments. Israel invites all the countries here to work with us to expand this program regionally and internationally. Together, we will harness the collective creativity, genius and wonder of our youth. And I would like to invite all of you to partake in this incredible venture.”
• Herzog also had a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in his private home.
• President bin Zayed said: “Thank you very much, Mr. President, for coming back again to your second home. It really means a lot to us. This is a new relationship, and we are trying to build a very strong bridge between our two countries, and I think we have built a very strong bridge that we are both proud of. The Abraham Accords are achieving their goals, so we are very proud.”

Context: This was the first official visit of an Israeli president to Bahrain. However both former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid (while serving as foreign minister) have visited before.

• This was the fifth meeting between Herzog and bin Zayed, since meeting last year they have kept in touch, including several telephone calls.
• The Jewish community in Manama immigrated in the early 1880s, mostly from Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait.
• Trade between Israel and the UAE is growing at an impressive rate. According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli imports from the UAE grew from $551m in 2021 to $1,398m this year. Israeli exports rose from $272m last year to $430m in 2022.
• Beyond economic relations, there is also emerging security cooperation. Israeli media reported last month that two Israeli Barak air defence systems have been deployed in the UAE to defend against a range of aerial threats emanating from Iran.

Looking forward: As the signatory of the Abraham Accords two years ago, Designated Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to visit Bahrain and the UAE on his first diplomatic trip abroad.

• Israel and Bahrain hope to complete a free trade agreement before the end of the year.